National Women's History Month grew from an effort to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of women in American history.  In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County, California, Commission on the Status of Women initiated Women's History Week.  In 1987 – at the request of museums, libraries, and educators across the country – the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March.

Women’s History Month is a time to reflect and celebrate the accomplishments of women in history.  The theme for this year’s celebration is Women’s Art: Women’s Vision.  It is fitting that we honor women who have contributed to Art.  To ensure that a diversity of art and artists are represented, the National Women’s History Project selected the following artists as 2008 Honorees based on their art, their vision, their art form, their cultural background, the region in which they live, and the quality and passion of the nomination submitted.

Judy Chicago - 1939  
Painter, Printmaker, Tapestry, Needlework

Harmony Hammond -1944
Painter

Edna Hibel - 1917 
Colorist, Painter, Stone Lithographer, Serigrapher, Etcher, Sculptor, and Filmmaker

Lihua Lei - 1966 
Multimedia Installation Artist

Rose Cecil O’Neill - 1874-1944 
Painter, Illustrator, Sculptor

Violet Oakley - 1874-1961 
Muralist, Stained Glass Artist 

Jaune Quick-To-See-Smith - 1940 
Abstract Painter, Lithographer

Faith Ringgold - 1930 
Painter, Quilter

Miriam Schapiro - 1923 
Printer, Painter

Lorna Simpson - 1960 
Artist

Nancy Spero -1926
Painter

June Claire Wayne - 1918
Painter, Lithographer

American women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our Nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways.  They have played a unique role throughout the history of this great Nation in securing not only their own civil rights in creating a fair and just society, but also through the development of U.S. policy and the industrial labor movement.  Women account for nearly half of all workers in the U.S. Labor Force.  Since 1979, women have comprised the majority of college students.  Women make up nearly 20 percent of those serving in the military.  A record number of women are now serving in Congress.  Over recent decades, women have made significant strides in business, medicine, technology, education, the military, and government, and by example, have given all young people in America inspiration and hope to be leaders in this global economy. 

This year as we embrace the 44th Presidential election, we have a woman running as a candidate in the primaries.  Regardless of the outcome, this represents an historic moment as it was only 88 years ago that the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by Congress giving women the right to vote.  I am proud to recognize the many contributions women have made to American history, and I encourage all DoDDS-Pacific and DDESS-Guam employees to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and to remember throughout the year the many contributions of American women.